Last week, one of my landscaping friends called the nursery requesting box balls (boxwoods clipped in a ball shape) of assorted sizes. For some reason, it made me think of all the forsythia balls that are very visible right now since they are in flower. Wouldn't it be nice if forsythia was given room to grow and not be pruned into a ball? The arching branches covered with bright yellow flowers in the spring would then be covered with colorful foliage in the fall.
Through the plastic covering the hoop houses at Loma Vista Nursery's Ottawa growing operation, I could see these beautiful flowers. Inside the hoop house, the fragrance was wonderful. Though I had to get past a crop of Alleghany Viburnums to get close enough for a photo, it was well worth the effort. Quite often, Leonard Messel Magnolia is grown as a multi-stem tree that matures 15-25' tall and wide.
Quite visible around town, are the Royal Star Magnolias. The flowers are opening up thanks to the warm weather we have had this week. Upright oval in form, Royal Star matures 15' by 12'.
Centennial Magnolias have blush pink flower buds that open up a very pale pnk. Centennial matures 15-20' by 10-15'.
As with the Leonard Messel Magnolias, Royal Star and Centennial are also fragrant. All are great additions to the landscape as a spring time accent.
